I hope this eventually gets a free to play option.
If they want more players that is.

Like Star Wars The Old Republic did.

SW:TOR was an example of how to never do F2P. In fact, that game is like the antithesis of how Square Enix approached a failing MMO. You won't ever see a SW:TOR reboot, because Star Wars's reputation isn't on the line because of that MMO. Also once they pay off investors through F2P microtransactions, expect it to be fully abandoned faster than you can say "lightsaber".

GW2, however, was a great example of F2P done right. If Square Enix was to bring FFXIV to F2Ptown, I would hope they follow ArenaNet's example. Just keep in mind that FFXI has been going strong for 10 years on a P2P model.

Originally Posted by Sean

Gotcha. Though one of my friends received an alpha key so I'm not all to sad now. I heard a second round of alpha invites are going out on Monday :<

Yeah, there will be more invites going out next week, and then invites will be more common when servers are up all day/night.

So, the official lyrics of "Answers" were released.
I find it eerily awesome how it ended up reflecting the past, present, and future of FFXIV.

I close my eyes, tell us why must we suffer
Release your hands, for your will drags us under
My legs grow tired, tell us where must we wander
How can we carry on if redemption's beyond us?

To all of my children in whom Life flows abundant
To all of my children to whom Death hath passed his judgement
The soul yearns for honor, and the flesh the hereafter
Look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after

Shining is the Land's light of justice
Ever flows the Land's well of purpose
Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe...
The Land is alive, so believe...

Now open your eyes while our plight is repeated
Still deaf to our cries, lost in hope we lie defeated
Our souls have been torn, and our bodies forsaken
Bearing sins of the past, for our future is taken

War born of strife, these trials persuade us not
(Feel what? Learn what?)
Words without sound, these lies betray our thoughts
(See what? Hear what?)
Mired by a plague of doubt, the Land, she mourns
Judgement binds all we hold to a memory of scorn
Tell us why, given Life, we are meant to die, helpless in our cries?

Thy Life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow
To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow
In one fleeting moment, from the Land doth life flow
Yet in one fleeting moment, for anew it doth grow
In the same fleeting moment
Thou must live
Die
And know

Well, I should correct myself, they're actually called Primals (or Eikons as a derogatory term). They are worshipped and summoned by the Beastmen Tribes of Eorzea using the power of aether. They are called "Primals" because they existed when the world was in a primal state.

Thusfar, those are the only Primals we know about. There was Midgarsormr (you can see him taking down the Garlean ship in the original FFXIV intro movie) but it's not explicitly stated if he's a Primal. He has also been destroyed, and his corpse is a giant husk in the middle of Mor Dhona.

In that movie when Midgarsormr dies a bunch of aether is released -- and you can see Ifrit and Titan escape into Eorzea. They are then able to be summoned by the Beastman tribes.